Lausanne - A Metropolitan Old World Feel
Beautifully located on the northern point of Lake Geneva, Lausanne boasts an international population of students, artists, writers and more. The city has a metropolitan-Old World feel to it. It is home to two universities, the International Olympic Committee, and a gateway to some of the best skiing in the world. French is the primary language spoken here, but with the international population in this city, most people find it easy enough to get by. The city is built on a very hilly area, not unlike San Francisco, giving it a unique perspective above the lake. The Olympic Museum is a must-see destination for sports fans. There are several art museums, including the Museum of Fine Arts and the Collection de l'Art Brut, which is a collection of works done by people suffering from various forms of psychological issues. Some of artworks in this collection are amazing. There are also several historical museums including a few in the Palais de Rumine, the Museum of Archeology and the Museum of Lausanne, which documents the history of this wonderful city. Don't forget to see the nightlife! There are several night clubs where you can dance the night away. Lausanne is the home of a wonderful Old Town district that is a lot of fun to explore with its cobbled streets and farmer's market. No cars are allowed in this portion of the city. It also has the best preserved Gothic Cathedral in all of Switzerland. Ask to climb up the Cathedral Tower for a view you won't soon forget.
The city can trace its history back to an ancient Roman camp just below the location of the present municipality. The city was moved to the top of the hill during the dark ages so it was more easily defended. In 1538, the Bernese took it to part of their empire. They held it until 1798, when Napoleon's army won its independence. In 1803, it was admitted to Switzerland as the capital of Vaud. There is public transportation around the city by bus and metro if you choose to use it. The new metro m2 intends to open to the public in september 2008. As described by many technicians, it will be a metro nearly without noise, because the wheels are fitted with tyres. As I have seen it starts in Ouchy on the lake shore and ends at the top of the city of the m2 (that is the name). I would highly recommend to use it as first an experience and second for the city's sights as a lot of points of interest will be easily to reach by metro. Biking and walking are other popular modes of transportation in this city. It is also less than an hour away from many other sites like Geneva, Montreux and Vevey. Find Great Vacation Rental Deals at TripAdvisor There are plenty of places to stay to fit every budget, and you're sure to enjoy the cuisine from the local creperies and delis to brasseries and fine dining restaurants. There are concerts and theatre events happening all the time. The Theatre Boulimie specializes in comedy. During summer, there are several festivals. The Fête de la Cite celebrates the diversity and culture of the city. The Fête de Lausanne happens almost at the same time, but it celebrates the city. There are also many sporting events hosted in the vicinity, including the Lausanne Marathon, the Lausanne Triathlon, the International Beach Volleyball Competition and the International Footbag Competition, which features hackey sacks. Read more about this attractive city: Visiting The Lausanne Cathedral – A Time Well Spent Other Highlights Not To Be Missed Click here to find the best city tours, boat cruises and day trips.
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